Bright Forest

Chapter 8

The sun was shining brightly in the blue sky, looking upon the training hollow.

Kestrelstar showed him a few new moves while Glistenfall was out on patrol: this was an important one, checking the borders and if they could meet a DawnClan patrol and ask them for information on the rogues, but right now, the StormClan leader was sharpening Rustpaw's fighting skills.

The ginger tom launched himself onto the leader, but she stepped back, making him flop on the ground. She took his tail and yanked him at the other side of the clearing. He felt dizzy, and wobbled back to the StormClan leader.

-What... What was that move...?- he stammered.

-Tail yank. Each clan has a different way to use it, but the concept is pretty simple: you take a foe's tail and yeet it far away. Some clans make an extra move, where they pull it back to make the victim more confused and nauseous, before making them twice as sick when throwing them. Usually DoveClan does that. Most of them are big, strong cats, but they respect you if you don't have the same strength as them!- she explained as the apprentice settled down.

-How do you know that?- he asked. She seemed to know a lot about the other clans.

-I am the first leader of StormClan, Rustpaw. I was with the other founders and we helped each other, most of us even spent time to flesh out our cultures and boundaries, sometimes even spending a few nights together!- she mewed, purring. He had never seen her like this before... she was never visibly happy.

She kept explaining:-I wanted to teach Poolspring all of that, too. To pass it onto other apprentices, like Branchpaw or you. I would cherish those moments, to be recognized in the clan as a good thing, to avoid being rude to the other clans, to leave them with a good impression of ours. I hope you understand, Rustpaw.

Even in his dizziness, he nodded, and tried to get up.

The speckled brown she-cat suddenly mewed:-We can take a little break, if you want. Glistenfall told me that you weren't feeling very well this morning. We can even sit and chat a little.

-Oh, uh... ok.

She curled up and glanced at the sky, looking quite uncertain at the colorful trees. Rustpaw glanced up as well, seeing some birds flying away in the distance.

-So...- he mumbled. -How did you learn those fighting skills?

The leader sighed softly. -My mother and sister did, but I don't remember any of them. I just knew them naturally, just remembered what I learned. Even my former mate, Storm, taught me a few additional moves.

Rustpaw looked at her. There was a spark of grief in her eyes. He whispered:-Is that why you named this clan "StormClan"? Was he the father of...

-Shut your mouth!- she suddenly hissed. Her ears down and her fur pumped up. She growled. -Excuse me, Rustpaw. It's just... he didn't deserve it...

Rustpaw was intimidated by his leader's response. He hunched down.

Kestrelstar snapped out of it. -It's fine. You didn't know.

-May I ask you... why didn't he deserve it?- he stammered.

-Well, he wasn't the greatest cat... you shouldn't speak of him... to anyone, Rustpaw.

-But...

-A leader's word's a rule.

-Yes, Kestrelstar.

They stood in silence for a while, and she shrugged. -Do you feel better?

-Slightly...

-We should get back to camp. It's almost sunhigh, we should get going.